letter of marque

license or commission granted by a state to a private citizen to capture and confiscate the merchant ships of another nation.

Also letters of marque.

Also called letter of marque and reprisal, letters of marque and reprisal.

Origin of letter of marque

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

She might be a letter-of-marque, like ourselves, and vessels of that character did not take convoy.

Afloat And Ashore |James Fenimore Cooper
Blowing a gale of wind, and a very heavy sea, the frigate captured an American letter-of-marque.

The Life of Nelson, Vol. I (of 2) |A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
Shortly afterward the Milford, accompanied by a British letter-of-marque, put in an appearance, and gave chase.

The Story of John Paul Jones |Chelsea Curtis Fraser
I believed my land-service commission would protect me, but I asked for the letter-of-marque as an additional safeguard.

The Supplies for the Confederate Army |Caleb Huse

The scheme was not impossible for any one holding a privateer's commission, and I applied to Mr. Yancey for a letter-of-marque.

The Supplies for the Confederate Army |Caleb Huse

letter of marque

a licence granted by a state to a private citizen to arm a ship and seize merchant vessels of another nation

a similar licence issued by a nation allowing a private citizen to seize goods or citizens of another nation

Also called: letter of marque and reprisal